PAT Testing
PAT Testing is known as Portable Appliance Testing, is the systematic checking of any equipment that can be connected to a common supply by means of an electric plug and socket arrangement. It is an essential part of any electrical compliance programme to ensure that all appliances are safe to use.
The scope of this test is much wider than the name suggests. It doesn’t just include truly portable items but encompasses everything that is attached to the electrical wiring system including IT equipment, and fixed appliances up to 400 Volts. A freezer cabinet, for example, is classed as a “portable appliance” as is a photocopier or drinks cabinet.
As with Fixed Wire Testing, Portable appliance testing is encompassed in the IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology) British Standard BS7671. The groupings for Electrical PAT Testing as defined by the IET include “moveable”, “stationary”, “portable”, “handheld” and “IT”. By definition this offers a very broad spectrum of equipment that falls within these groups so Pat usually concerns large numbers of individual tests.